Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Rich Rice shares how a $60,000 wholesale deal ended up being a wake-up call that completely changed how he approached real estate.

Listen as he breaks down the difference between making money and building wealth, why so many investors get stuck chasing income, and how shifting to a buy-and-hold strategy can change your financial future.

In addition, he also talks about the moment a mentor showed him he may have traded away a million-dollar opportunity.

Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Shift from flipping and wholesaling into long-term wealth building
• Decide when to sell and hold properties
• Build a rental portfolio even while needing active income
• Leverage community and partnerships to grow faster

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(03:10) Rich Rice’s background and transition from corporate to real estate

(06:02) The $60,000 wholesale deal that changed everything

(07:30) Finding financial allies and funding deals creatively

(09:31) Starting with just one rental property

(10:49) How rental portfolios create compounding wealth over time

(11:39) The snowball effect of holding properties

(14:42) Lifestyle inflation and the trap of fast money

(18:42) The reality behind “looking rich” vs being wealthy

(19:38) What most people actually want: simplicity and freedom

(21:12) Inside the FIRE Center

(23:57) Collaboration beats competition

(25:54) The abundance mindset in real estate

(30:11) Common traits of investors who succeed long-term

(32:11) The importance of asking for help

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate investors who are stuck in the deal-to-deal cycle
• Wholesalers and flippers who are thinking about long-term wealth
• Beginners who want to build a strong foundation
• Entrepreneurs who want financial freedom

Why You Should Listen:

This episode breaks down the mindset shift from chasing income to building real and lasting wealth. You will also learn that holding assets, not just flipping them, is what creates true financial freedom.

Connect with Rich Rice:

• Website: https://firecenterhq.com/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firerichrice/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firerichrice/ 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

How much money do you actually need to make in life?

In this episode, Kris Kohlstedt breaks down a question most entrepreneurs avoid but desperately need to answer. Instead of chasing bigger deals, more flips, or endless income goals, Kris shares a different approach. It is to define your number, build toward it, and design a life that makes sense.

Listen and enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Define your personal “enough” number
• Shift from chasing deals to creating real long-term wealth
• Use better financial systems to make smarter decisions
• Stay profitable even when the market shifts

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(03:11) What Kris Kohlstedt does in the real estate space

(04:17) The mindset shift from chasing profit to helping sellers

(05:45) The “commission breath” trap

(08:20) Inside their current operation: ~9 deals/month with a lean team

(09:34) The “Core Six” concept

(11:28) How to stay lean

(13:01) Measuring value in non-sales roles

(15:49) Practices to improve the financial situation

(20:15) What to do when flips stop selling

(21:24) Small upgrades that make properties sell faster

(23:23) Introduction to the “Aji” philosophy

(25:45) How much money do you need to live your life?

(30:18) The real goal in the real estate business

(31:45) The value you give determines the value you receive

(34:04) Better decisions = better results

(34:49) The uncommon knowledge defined

(35:51) Connect with Kris Kohlstedt

Who This Episode is For:

• Entrepreneurs who are trying to figure out their end goal
• Anyone who are tired of chasing more
• Business owners looking to run lean without sacrificing growth

Why You Should Listen:

This episode offers a different perspective. One where you build intentionally, make smarter decisions, and create a business that supports your life, not the other way around.

Connect with Kris Kohlstedt:

• Website: https://krisandcody.com/ 
• Website: https://propertybuyersar.com/ 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

In Part 3 of this series, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney break down what it really takes to achieve consistent $ 100,000 months and why most business owners get stuck before they ever reach that goal.

For today's episode, they focus on the expansion phase, where growth becomes intentional, not just with more deals, but with smarter decisions, better systems, and the right people in place.

They also call out one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make and the misconceptions about expansion.

Listen and enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Scale your business toward consistent $100K months
• Use reserves the right way when hiring and investing
• Stay focused on what’s already working
• Build the right team to support your growth

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:26) Expansion phase explained

(02:36) Growing business through wise investment

(03:21) The difference between revenue and actual cash flow

(04:37) You should only grow expenses when you have reserves

(08:13) The “right move at the wrong time” problem in business

(10:57) Stay in your lane: expand what already works

(12:34) The three-legged stool in marketing

(15:08) How taxes change when you hit higher income levels

(16:54) Why expansion is the time to bring in experts

(20:23) Managing profits and moving from monthly to quarterly decisions

(22:28) Your goal should be 6 months of reserves or $1M in the bank

(24:00) Thinking beyond the deal in front of you

(26:00) Growth is uncomfortable

Who This Episode is For:

• Business owners who are making money but not building real wealth
• Anyone trying to scale without burning cash
• Operators who are ready to grow smarter

Why You Should Listen:

This episode shows you how to expand the right way by protecting your cash, doubling down on what works, and building a business that supports your life.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Connections are one of the biggest things in the real estate business. Some conversations will be with people that are tire kickers and then some will be actually useful and helpful to you.

In this episode, Marcus Crigler sits down with Kirby Nie, a young realtor and note investor who’s early in the game but already thinking long-term. From building connections to shifting into passive income through notes, Kirby shares what he’s learning as he builds his business from the ground up.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Build real connections that lead to deals
• Shift from chasing income to building long-term wealth
• Understand what note investing is 
• Create opportunities without relying on paid leads

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

03:42 - Getting started in real estate

05:53 - Joining into a brokerage team

07:12 - What working hard looks like: Answering your phone, and having conversations

09:45 - The problem with paid leads

11:52 -  Daily posts, reels for visibility, stories for connection.

15:02 - Goals for the year: 24 home sales and 5 notes

17:55 - "Rentals are jobs."

18:52- What note investing really is

20:34 - Real example of a note deal

24:20 - How can beginners get started with notes

27:53 - The power of small habits

28:37 - Connect with Kirby Nie

Who This Episode is For

• Real estate agents who are tired of inconsistent income
• Entrepreneurs who feel busy but not profitable
• Anyone who is curious about note investing

Why You Should Listen

This episode is a good reminder that working harder isn’t always the answer. Kirby’s story shows that you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start building the right habits early.

Connect with Kirby Nie:

• Telephone Number: 417-299-8665
• Website: https://www.revoirgroup.com/agents/kirby-nie/ 
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kirby_nie_

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney continue their conversation about what it really takes to build a real estate business that produces $100,000 per month in profit.

They started off last week discussing how to build a business to a hundred thousand profit a month through the hustle phase. Now, they are diving into the secure phase.

This is the phase most entrepreneurs skip. Instead of strengthening their financial foundation, many businesses jump straight into expansion. This is a must-listen episode. Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Build a financial foundation for long-term growth
• Avoid the common mistake of skipping the secure phase
• Create reserves that protect your business
• Eliminate bad debt and strengthen financial habits

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:03) What is the secure phase, and why do most entrepreneurs skip it

(02:58) Choosing safety first accelerates long-term growth

(03:52) The marshmallow experiment and the power of delayed gratification in business

(06:00) Key steps involved in the secure phase

(06:27) The importance of holding three times the business expenses in reserves

(07:55) Reserves protect you when the market shifts

(09:36) What counts as fixed expenses inside your business

(10:18) Marketing should always be treated as a fixed expense

(11:16) Why does short-term debt require additional financial reserves

(13:26) The risks of carrying large inventories with little cash

(16:03) Playing to win vs playing not to lose

(16:42) Eliminating bad debt and what qualifies as bad debt in business

(21:20) Discipline for risk tolerance

(22:03) Getting yourself paid

(23:08) Avoiding the “good month vs bad month” lifestyle

(25:30) Tax strategies entrepreneurs should begin implementing early

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who are trying to stabilize their income
• Investors who want stronger financial systems
• Entrepreneurs who want to scale

Why You Should Listen:

If you want to grow your business without constantly feeling like you are one bad month away from starting over, this episode will show you the financial habits that make long-term success possible.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

The feast-or-famine cycle is one of the most common frustrations for real estate entrepreneurs, but the reality is that these are the opportunities to get better.

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler sits down with business coach Gary Harper from Sharper Business Solutions to talk about the feast-or-famine cycle.

Listen as Gary explains why the cycle isn’t random or caused by bad luck but a result of missing metrics, poor pipeline management, and a lack of operational discipline. He also shares how strong operators track the right numbers to grow during good markets and stay stable when the market shifts.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Break out of the feast-or-famine cycle
• Identify where deals are being lost in your sales process
• Measure the ROI of your team members and marketing channels
• Adapt your business when the market starts to shift

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:58) Introducing Gary Harper and Sharper Business Solutions

(03:22) The good days and bad days of entrepreneurs

(05:54) Early mistakes in real estate and the impact of the 2008 crash

(08:44) Returning to real estate through wholesaling and scaling quickly

(11:17) The Rise Business Framework and building companies responsibly

(13:11) The feast-or-famine reality many operators are facing

(14:23) Downturns are the best time to prune a business

(15:40) The lesson behind the book Who Moved My Cheese

(18:24) Why the businesses embracing change are the ones winning

(19:38) The problem with hiring too many executives instead of producers

(22:01) Compensation should be tied to business performance

(23:12) The importance of hiring the right people and placing them in the right seats

(24:21) Most important metrics in a real estate company

(26:39) People problems vs process problems

(27:45) The “heart, head, hands, feet” framework

(30:07) Purpose and profit indicators

(32:21) The conversion benchmarks Gary recommends for healthy businesses

(35:28) Tracking daily process indicators vs performance indicators

(36:43) Understanding the cash conversion cycle

(38:45) The role of the “innovator” inside a business

(41:16) Fixing people and processes first before the marketing channel

(43:11) Getting better, not bigger

(44:30) The “become the box” concept for analyzing how deals move through a system

(45:36) Connect with Gary Harper.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate investors who deal with inconsistent deal flow
• Wholesalers who try to stabilize their business
• Entrepreneurs who want visibility over their numbers
• Business owners who want to improve systems before scaling

Why You Should Listen:

If you want more predictable growth and fewer surprises in your business, this episode breaks down the operational mindset that makes it possible.

Connect with Gary Harper:

• Website: https://sharperbusiness.com/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-harper-37148967 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

The tax code isn’t designed to punish investors; it is designed to reward those who understand how to use it effectively.

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney break down a concept most entrepreneurs completely miss when it comes to taxes and wealth building.

Listen as Marcus gives a preview of a presentation he’s preparing for a national real estate conference, and the four financial stages every entrepreneur goes through. He also explains why poor bookkeeping creates the “chaos tax,” why reserves matter more than revenue when it comes to expenses, and how the right entity structure can completely change your tax strategy.

Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Play the long-term tax game
• Avoid the “chaos tax” that costs entrepreneurs thousands
• Build proper personal and business reserves
• Structure your business so tax strategy works

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:35) The real purpose behind tax deferral strategies

(03:38) Preview of Marcus’s upcoming presentation

(05:01) The common problem entrepreneurs face when trying to grow wealth

(07:07) The seven rules of the tax game

(08:16) Why the tax game only matters if you’re playing the wealth game

(08:55) Different stages of the wealth game and different rules of the game

(11:16) The danger of comparing your journey to other investors

(12:02) Rule #1: Entrepreneurs win the tax game

(13:20) Rule #2: Avoid the “chaos tax.”

(14:53) Why don’t many investors realize how much money they actually made

(16:03) You can't do strategy without clarity

(19:05) The secure stage and why most entrepreneurs try to skip it

(19:26) Building business reserves before expanding

(20:38) Bad debt must eventually be eliminated

(22:21) Rule #3: Structure is strategy

(26:27) Rule #4: Taking advantage of the entrepreneur’s tax gifts

(27:06) Examples of simple tax strategies most people overlook

(29:06) Partial dispositions explained

(30:05) Moving from the secure stage into the expansion stage

(30:48) Expenses should grow with reserves, not just revenue

(31:24) The rule of three months of reserves before making new hires

(34:30) Introducing the concept of the “tax ladder.”

(38:32) Marginal tax brackets matter more than most people realize

(39:39) Rule #6: Understanding and using Real Estate Professional (REP) status

(40:32) What is a tax shelter?

(41:38) Rule #7: Tax savings should fund wealth, not lifestyle

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who want a better tax strategy
• Business owners who are trying to scale
• Investors who want to build long-term wealth
• Entrepreneurs who want to understand how the tax system works

Why You Should Listen:

In this episode, Marcus and Kaden explain the framework behind that strategy and the financial stages every serious entrepreneur has to move through to win the long game.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Leon Barnes sits down with CPA and fractional CFO Marcus Crigler to break down what the new “Big Beautiful Bill” means for real estate entrepreneurs.

While many investors are celebrating the return of 100% bonus depreciation, Marcus explains why the real story is more nuanced.

Listen as Marcus walks through the biggest financial mistakes real estate entrepreneurs make while scaling, why cash generation should come before wealth multiplication, how the new tax rules could create major opportunities for investors in higher tax brackets, and how applying these strategies incorrectly could cause others to pay more taxes.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Use cash generation as the foundation for real estate investing
• Avoid the common scaling mistakes
• Use bonus depreciation strategically to accelerate wealth

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:06) What Marcus’s firm does for real estate entrepreneurs

(03:51) Why working with a real estate tax specialist matters

(07:36) Things people miss the most as they are scaling

(08:10) About cash multiplication

(09:04) The scarcity that makes you miss out on an opportunity

(10:49) The four phases every entrepreneur goes through: Hustle, Secure, Expand, Exit

(11:27) Most investors skip the “secure” phase and create long-term problems

(14:58) The importance of having a strategy

(16:32) Clean books alone are not enough; you must understand the numbers

(17:35) Using cash flow forecasting to make better business decisions

(18:30) The 52-week cash flow forecast

(20:18) Challenges from real estate investors on the financial side

(22:01) It is easier and faster to scale up than to scale down

(25:54) Breaking down the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

(27:41) Why a $100K property can create around a $25K tax deduction

(35:49) How the new tax brackets reduce overall tax liability

(36:49) The larger standard deduction benefits most taxpayers

(38:15) The importance of the Qualified Business Income deduction

(39:07) How entrepreneurs can claim a 20% deduction on business income

(45:50) The least successful people

(49:48) The issues concerning the new bill

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate investors who are scaling their businesses
• Entrepreneurs who want to reduce taxes legally while building assets
• Investors who are trying to understand the new tax law

Why You Should Listen:

This conversation breaks down the real implications of the new tax rules and shows how smart investors use them to accelerate wealth.

Connect with Leon Barnes:

• Website: https://thecollectivegenius.com/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-barnes-79a71652/ 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

A lot of entrepreneurs say they want to hit $100K per month, but when you look at it, most aren’t building a business that can support it.

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney have an honest conversation about what keeps people stuck. They break down what they call the “Hustle Phase,” where you are making money but still feel chaotic.

If you want a clear system for managing cash, visibility into numbers, and an intentional tax strategy, this episode is for you.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Move from hustle to structure in your business
• Set up a clean financial foundation
• Create profitability
• Build systems that support long-term wealth

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:09) Common goal for a lot of real estate entrepreneurs

(03:36) The different paths for entrepreneurs

(04:39) Not seeing the business from a financial standpoint

(07:35) Why most real estate businesses aren’t truly sellable assets

(09:06) What the Hustle Phase looks like

(09:31) Entity mistakes that quietly cost investors money

(12:45) The tax problems most people don’t see coming

(16:43) Cash flow is everything in the early stages

(17:18) The three core bank accounts every investor should have

(18:34) Banking system vs cash management vs accounting system

(21:28) Using financial statements to make decisions

(25:10) Structure is a discipline, not a one-time setup

(27:10) Tax compliance as a growth strategy

(29:41) The trap of chasing “sexy” tax strategies too soon

(34:30) Weekly scorecards and tracking the right numbers

(35:03) How to know you’re moving out of the Hustle Phase

(36:39) Insecurity, comparison, and why entrepreneurs sabotage growth

(41:06) The process to make revenue matters more

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate investors who are tired of inconsistent income
• Entrepreneurs who are making money but feeling financial pressure
• Operators who want to scale
• Anyone serious about building real wealth

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re working hard but still not at consistent $100K months, this episode explains why.

Connect with Kaden Hackney:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaden-h/ 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney break down what it takes to build real wealth and why tax strategy has to be part of the equation from the beginning.

The conversation starts with having a clear financial target, and from there, they connect the dots between income, reserves, investing, and using tax strategies to accelerate the path.

They also introduce the new Tax Strategy Showroom, real case studies that show how real estate, equipment leasing, and other structured investments can create both wealth and significant tax savings when used strategically.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Set a realistic wealth target that produces financial freedom
• Use tax strategy to accelerate your path
• Build liquidity and reserves before scaling aggressively
• Leverage structured investments to reduce taxes

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:34) The $5 million wealth target

(04:35) How $5M at 7% produces $20,000 per month after taxes

(09:36) The connection between $20K/month and long-term freedom

(10:53) The hustle, secure, expand, and invest phases tie together

(12:18) Introducing the Tax Strategy Showroom

(14:41) Showing case studies about certain key tax strategies

(15:33) Case study #1: Turnkey BRRR strategy

(20:16) Case study #2: Mobile home park

(23:18) Equipment leasing strategy: Leveraged deductions and 6% returns

(26:10) Oil & gas investments: When tax benefits enhance long-term upside

(30:00) Charitable strategies and conservation easements done the right way

(32:32) Software investments: 6% cash flow plus outsized deductions

(34:40) Film investments: speculative returns with major deductions

(36:39) Crypto tax loss harvesting and capturing paper losses

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who are working toward financial freedom
• High-income earners looking to reduce tax exposure
• Investors exploring structured tax-advantaged opportunities

Why You Should Listen:

If you understand how the tax code works, you can use it to compound wealth. This episode gives you a broad look at what’s possible and why having options and structure makes a difference.

Connect with Kaden Hackney:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaden-h/ 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler